Page 36 of Rooster

Her eyes narrow. "You didn't spend any time looking at them?"

I shake my head. "Of course not. I do a lot of research, but I'd never violate your privacy that way."

"I feel like you're telling me the truth," she says.

"I assure you that I am."

"I don't think I'd have the power not to look."

"What do you mean?" I ask, finally reaching for a plate to put my food on so I can put it into the microwave.

"If the tables were turned," she hedges. "I don't know that I could keep myself from at least a little glance, especially after seeing you without your shirt."

I huff a laugh as I grab the plate cover from the cabinet and put it over the food before popping it into the microwave. After hitting the required buttons, I give her my full attention once again.

"You're going to eat all four of those?"

"I'm going to make you eat one," I say. "Don't change the subject on me now."

A slow smile spreads across her face, and I feel so much relief that she isn't livid with me. I know she has every right to feel violated by the research I've done. I couldn't expect anyone to be completely okay with their privacy being invaded and that was what I've done with all her information.

"I figured with how hard you're blushing right now, you wouldn't want to hear it."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I say, but I can't seem to pull the smile from my face.

"You're incredibly fit," she says, her eyes dropping to the front of my body. Even though I'm fully clothed, I still feel like she can see things that aren't exposed.

I run my hand down the front of my body, my cock threatening to stand up and take notice when her eyes follow the path of my hand.

I step forward, pressing my lower half to the cabinets, doing my best to hide my reaction.

The microwave beeps, forcing me to step to the side and pull the food out to avoid any other suspicion.

"I bet you could cut your time in the gym in half if you didn't eat stuff like that," she says, her tone void of judgment as I place the plate between us, pull off the cardboard sleeves, and carry them to the trash.

"So what you're saying is if you eat one, you'll join me in the gym later to work it off?"

Her eyes trace my body once again before they lift to mine.

"That's one way to burn the calories off."

Chapter 13

Morgan

He tilts his head as if running every possible scenario through his mind. As quick as he is to use his computer system to do research, it seems he's just as detailed in his analysis of everything else.

"The pool isn't heated, so laps aren't really possible," he says, just as I open my mouth to flirt even harder.

"Right," I say as he slides the plate closer to me. "I'm going to need a fork, I think."

He turns toward the silverware drawer, giving me a chance to press my palms to my face.

There's unrequited flirting, and then there's a guy who doesn't even seem to know I'm flirting. Normally, I'd be annoyed as hell, questioning his intelligence, but I've spoken with him enough to know the guy is brilliant at his job.

I find it a little endearing, actually. There has been no shortage of nerdy computer guys in my life. Most of my degree is computer-based, but I can't recall another computer nerd that I found as insanely attractive as I do him.

I decide to give it a break for a while. I'm not going to call him out on not getting my suggestion. I think I'll just have to revisit the way I handle things at this point. It feels like a challenge that I may have to work to get someone's attention, and I'm okay with that.

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